It was over a month after I graduated from medical school. I had almost exhausted my savings for upkeep while trying to clear myself with different administrative departments in school. It was a mandatory process every student must have to go through. This was to ensure that non of the graduating student is left with an outstanding problem or debt before leaving school, finally. Before then, my parents had spent some really huge amount of money for my final year academic project, upkeep, and some academic engagements which demanded a lot when put together. They had already started to complain about the incessant demands from school, which really surpassed what I budgeted earlier for everything I thought I would need to conclude my first degree.
At a point, I felt I needed to give my parents some financial break since they had a lot to cater for, my siblings too. After much thinking, I resorted to doing anything that would be of financial benefit to me - anything that could sustain me for the time being. I tried selling some textbooks in my custody. A senior student who graduated the year before handed them to me to assist him in selling them off to younger students. I didn't succeed even though some friends assisted me in promoting the books; a majority of students had already bought the textbooks they would need for the session. I was late with promoting the books.
Photo from pixabay by Karolina Grabowska
Meanwhile, there was this roommate I had who just got admitted in to school; he was in his first year in school. The very first day he parked in, he appeared unfriendly and rude due to the way he approached me at first while trying to secure his bed space which I occupied then. He was new with everything happening in school. Even with his early dismal impression, I still assisted him with fixing his lockers and arranging his items. One evening, I overheard him talking with the other roommates about some assignments and term papers he was to write and submit to his department. He was not familiar with how term papers were written. He needed someone to assist him and some of his classmates with their academic work. While he spoke, an idea dropped in. "I can assist these students with doing their numerous assignments and get paid for it". I approached him and made him understand why he and his friends needed assistance and how I could be of help to them. He agreed without much persuasion, we made a deal, and in matter of hours, interested students started paying for the work ahead of time. I was really surprised. The turn out was really much.
After a few weeks of work, I had already raked in some really good amount of money with which I cleared some bills and met most of my needs. Feeling happy was an understatement compared to how I actually felt within me at that point. I was touched how my eavesdropping on the supposedly mere discussion of a new student brought about the financial breakthrough I so much desired for the conclusion of my first degree pursuit. I felt happy with myself for making the first move of initiating the deal even with my knowing little to nothing about this new student. The deal was indeed a huge success. My parents were relieved to a great extent of some financial demands, at least for weeks.
This particular event made a deeper impression in me of the fact that anybody could be of great help or assistance to me irrespective of how new or a stranger the person is to me. You can't always tell how or where your next help will come from. I also understood better the need for taking up responsibilities and making bold moves without sentiments in the direction of one's pursuit or desire. There will always be something you can make do with if you truly desire to succeed.
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